Microglial Phagocytosis in the Neurodegenerative Diseases.
10.3881/j.issn.1000-503X.2016.02.018
- Author:
Sheng-nan CAO
1
;
Xiu-qi BAO
1
;
Hua SUN
1
;
Dan ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functions,Institute of Materia Medica,CAMS and PUMC,Beijing 100050,China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Humans;
Microglia;
cytology;
Neurodegenerative Diseases;
physiopathology;
Phagocytosis
- From:
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae
2016;38(2):228-233
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Microglia are the resident innate immune cells in the brain. Under endogenous or exogenous stimulates, they become activated and play an important role in the neurodegenerative diseases. Microglial phagocytosis is a process of receptor-mediated engulfment and degradation of apoptotic cells. In addition, microglia can phagocyte brain-specific cargo, such as myelin debris and abnormal protein aggregation. However, recent studies have shown that microglia can also phagocyte stressed-but-viable neurons, causing loss of neurons in the brain. Thus, whether microglial phagocytosis is beneficial or not in neurodegenerative disease remains controversial. This article reviews microglial phagocytosis related mechanisms and its potential roles in neurodegenerative diseases, with an attempt to provide new insights in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
